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Rediff.com  » Sports » Roddick wins Lyon Grand Prix

Roddick wins Lyon Grand Prix

By Eric Salliot
October 31, 2005 13:44 IST
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Top seed Andy Roddick outgunned French teenager Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2 to win the Lyon Grand Prix on Sunday.

The American completed the week without dropping a serve to snatch his fifth ATP title this season after victories in San Jose, Houston, Queen's Club and Washington.

"Five titles are not that bad for a season many see as a disappointing one," the American said. "Of course, I would trade all of them against a single Grand Slam title."

Roddick reached the final in Wimbledon but lost to defending champion Roger Federer, who clinching his third success at the All England Tennis Club in straight sets.

The world number three next plays in the Paris Masters where he will be clear favourite after the indoor tournament was hit by a number of high-profile withdrawals.

Roddick, the player with the biggest serve in tennis, gave the inexperienced Monfils no chance of finding his feet in what was the third final of his young career.

"If it looked like it was easy, that's because I played really well today," said Roddick. "It was certainly one of my best matches this season."

The 19-year-old Monfils, ranked 36th in the world, lost his serve once at the beginning of each set to bow out in little more than an hour.

Roddick sealed the title when Monfils hit a forehand wide on the American's second match point.

"Gael looked like he was a bit overawed before the match," Roddick said. "I had the chance to come here with four titles under my belt and I didn't have to deal with the same pressure.

"Actually I came here looking for stamina. I beat four French players but the public remained really fair," he added.

Monfils, widely considered to be one of the most promising French players, was disappointed at suffering his second consecutive defeat in the final of an ATP event.

The Parisian lost to Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic in Metz three weeks ago.

"I find it hard to play my best tennis in big games," Monfils said. "I find it hard just to be myself. There's something which doesn't work."

Monfils hoping to shine in front his home crowd at the Paris Masters.

"Paris is a very special tournament for me," he said. "That's where people started to hear about me last year. I'll play in front of my friends and relatives. I'll try to do more than my best."
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Eric Salliot
Source: REUTERS
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